Bellefonte Marijuana Protests

6/7/ - 6/9/98 Prisoners of
Drug War protest The first ever Marijuana protest in Bellefonte Pa. 6/22/98
Julian Heicklen held his first official smokeout in Bellefonte Pa and finally
got his wish. After smoking his traditional joint, he was arrested and carried off
by Bellefonte police, while Honeybud and mari jane sang the national anthem. He is
being held for $10,000 bail... Maximum fine for his crime in pa $500.. hmmmJune
25, Joe Devecka, Julian Heicklen's attorney, asked Magistrate Hoffman for a bail
reduction from $10,000 to $500 without restrictions regarding the law or drugs. Magistrate
Hoffman rejected the request. An appeal was made to President Judge Charles C.
Brown, Jr., who set a hearing for 8:45 AM on Friday, June 26. At this hearing,
Judge Brown reduced the bail to $1000 unsecured bond (no money had to posted). The
stipulations to follow the law and not use illicit drugs were included with the
exception that "Heicklen could smoke marijuana as a form of political protest
in public demonstrations" without being in violation of bail conditions.Heicklen accepted this agreement and was released from prison.Three Cheers
for Judge Brown, I think he may be on "our" side

6/29/98 Julian was back in Bellefonte, about a dozen people gathered for the
protest. Julian gave his speech and said he was not going to smoke, because it would
not be convenient to his schedule to be arrested today. Several people spoke, the
police did not attend, but did pass by a few times during the hour..